When it comes to buying a new luxury car in India, there are some things you need to keep in mind before hitting the dealership.
This article will explain 10 such tips that may save you time and money when making this important purchase.
- Registration:
Check if the car has been registered within the first three months of launch. A new launch is always accompanied by a surge in demand which may cause manufacturers to outpace their production capacity and delay deliveries of new cars, especially with high specifications. This could mean you are stuck with an old model for some time until your car is delivered.
- Warranty:
Ensure that your best compact SUV in India or other cars are covered under the manufacturer’s warranty or service plan at least for two years or one-lakh kilometers whichever comes first. This way you can assure peace of mind even if any servicing needs to be done during this period without worrying about the cost involved as it would have already been included in the price that you had paid for your vehicle. Manufacturers offer comprehensive warranties that cover repairs and maintenance. Most of them also offer service packages where you can choose a plan according to your requirement, typically affecting the cost of your bill, which is usually spread over the warranty period or one-lakh kilometers.
- Extended warranty/service plan
Ensure that your car comes with an extended warranty/service plan from a good after-sales service center network in India. For instance, there are many garages that have been authorized by Hyundai Motors even if they do not have a company name board displayed at their garage premises. This does not mean that cars bought from these garages will not be covered under the manufacturer’s warranty but it may sometimes require an official letter from the concerned service center in order for dealer service centers to honor such claims during the warranty period.
- Vehicle identification number:
Ensure that your car comes with a vehicle identification number (VIN) which is correctly displayed on the contract note and other documents as it cannot be substituted for another VIN. Some dealers may try to deceive customers by substituting a lower-priced version of the same model, so ask for this detail before signing any papers. A VIN can be located at several places on your car – either stamped inside the engine bay or dashboard, or etched onto silver plates fitted under the windshield (driver’s side), and on both front fenders (right-hand side). The first three digits of a VIN represent specific manufacturer information such as where the car was manufactured and what type of fuel was; followed by various numbers for engine type, vehicle specifications, and model year. The last four digits of a VIN represent the car’s unique serial number. You can verify the authenticity of your car by checking this online with the manufacturer to confirm whether it matches their records or not.
- Engine capacity:
Before buying a car ensure that you know the engine displacement and its corresponding power and torque figures as well as their performance capabilities and fuel efficiency claims. There could be several versions of one model based on engine capacity, fuel efficiency standards to attract more buyers which would result in variations in mileage displayed on dashboard meters (kmpl). Ensure that you choose an appropriate option depending on where you will use your car – city roads or highways (maintaining speed limits).
- Roadside assistance:
Ensure that your car comes with a reputable roadside assistance number and plan as it can be very helpful during emergencies, especially if you are traveling to new regions where help may not be easily accessible. Check the terms and conditions of the service plan thoroughly before buying your car to ensure that such services can be availed even for minor problems such as punctured tyres, running out of fuel, or flat batteries. This will require you to register your vehicle with the manufacturer’s service center by submitting all documents including proof of ownership and insurance; this will also help expedite any claims during the warranty period or emergencies on Indian roads.
- Spare parts availability:
A good after-sales service network is needed only if you need replacement parts for your car over the lifetime of the vehicle. Ensure that spare parts such as batteries, tires, and clutch plates are available in plenty through well-known sales outlets or larger garages such as Hyundai, Maruti, etc. (especially if choosing a larger car).
- Wheel alignment:
Ensure that wheel alignment specification – both l/r and front to back – matches your requirements based on road conditions and driving habits; note that many manufacturers may offer close to “0” degree rotation which is not always ideal for Indian roads (with potholes and bumps), especially those with heavy traffic running speeds above 60kmph. Check the suspension system including anti-roll bar bushes, multi-leaf springs, and shock absorbers for correct operation.
- Regular maintenance:
Regularly maintain your car by checking its fluids and replacing parts such as oil filters, brake pads, wipers, etc. to ensure a long life of the engine and other parts, avoid inconvenience during routine services or emergencies on Indian roads. Ensure that you have access to service manuals from manufacturers to help understand various functions in simple terms and ways to keep your car running smoothly which could save you from paying higher garage charges especially while traveling across cities/states during the warranty period.
- Insurance premium:
Research thoroughly before buying a new car about insurance premiums based on segment and variant levels so that you can budget accordingly without straining your finances while having a reliable mode of transportation you can trust. Most of the manufacturers also offer cheaper insurance premiums which can be availed through online policies for new cars; make sure that you check all the details and conditions before buying an insurance policy for your cars under 10 lakhs.
Conclusion:
While buying a new car, it is important to consider various factors including third-party liabilities; choose only after thorough research and analysis about the car’s best-suited variant taking into account size, performance, fuel efficiency (for city or highways), safety features such as airbags and ABS etc. while considering your budget. The above “10 Tips When Buying a New Luxury Car in India” should help ensure a quality purchase. At Carorbis, you can get the best interior and exterior car modification accessories, car care products, and more for keeping your car in good condition and for better maintenance of your vehicles.
